My Childhood Friend is Secretly in Love with Me - Chapter 19

“Xiao Yi, in my heart, you are the most amazing.”

Zuo Yi followed Coach Huang into the school’s swimming training center. As they stepped inside, a heavy sense of pressure washed over him.

Two rows of athletes in red uniforms were warming up, flanked by three stern-looking coaches. Zuo Yi spotted one of them and excitedly gripped Coach Huang’s arm. “Coach, Coach! Is that Coach Zhang, the head coach of the national team?”

Coach Huang rolled his eyes and gave him a sharp look. “Can you not be a bit more steady? Do not embarrass me!”

“Yes, sir! I promise not to embarrass you!” Zuo Yi immediately wiped the grin off his face and put on a solemn expression.

“I brought you here today mainly to observe Liang Yi’s stroke. When he hits the water, keep your eyes wide open!”

“Liang Yi? The Liang Yi who swept the gold medals in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter freestyle at the last Olympics?” Zuo Yi asked, stunned.

Coach Huang led Zuo Yi toward the edge of the pool. “How many Liang Yis do you think there are on the national team?”

“Holy crap!” Zuo Yi began scanning the area discreetly.

Where is he? I do not see him!

Zuo Yi had watched countless videos of Liang Yi’s races and was very familiar with his stroke; Liang Yi’s swimming style was widely considered the textbook standard. Although they were close in age, their achievements in the sport were worlds apart. If Zuo Yi had one foot in the swimming world, Liang Yi was already at the top of the pyramid. At the last Olympics, his long-course 100-meter freestyle time of 45.55 seconds had broken the world record, bringing immense glory to the country.

Liang Yi was Zuo Yi’s professional idol. To meet him so unexpectedly left Zuo Yi completely unprepared, let alone having the chance to witness a world champion’s form in person.

Unable to contain his excitement, Zuo Yi clutched Coach Huang’s sleeve, his palms sweating. “Coach Huang, where is he?”

Coach Zhang finished briefing the athletes on the day’s training plan and turned toward the locker room. “Xiao Liang, are you ready?”

“Coming.” The 195-centimeter tall Liang Yi walked out slowly, rubbing his neck with a towel draped over his shoulders. He politely nodded and greeted his teammates.

When his gaze swept over Zuo Yi, it seemed to linger for three seconds.

Zuo Yi felt his breath hitch. Just as he was about to raise a hand to say hello to his idol, Liang Yi turned back to speak with Coach Zhang.

“Coach Zhang, who is that?”

Coach Zhang followed Liang Yi’s gaze toward Coach Huang.

“That is Old Huang, your former mentor.” Coach Zhang waved at them. “Why do you not go say hello?”

Liang Yi arched an eyebrow. “I meant the person behind Old Huang.”

“That is his new student. I heard he is a kid with a lot of potential. Old Huang specifically brought him to observe your training; technically, he is your junior,” Coach Zhang said with a smile.

Standing beside Coach Huang, Zuo Yi kept his eyes fixed on his idol. He instinctively felt his own abdominal muscles, which he was usually proud of, and felt a bit dejected.

I cannot compete, no way.

An idol is truly an idol; his physique is way too good! I need to hit the weights and make my abs more defined.

Zuo Yi watched as Liang Yi walked toward them with a serious expression. He nudged his coach’s shoulder and whispered, “Coach, he is coming over!”

Coach Huang maintained a sour expression with hands on his hips, staring intensely at Liang Yi. When Liang Yi reached them, the two simply glared at each other in silence; no words, no greetings.

Zuo Yi felt the surrounding temperature drop to the freezing point.

“How many times have I told you to listen to Coach Zhang during daily training? Stop training like a reckless fool as if your life does not matter. Did that old shoulder injury flare up again?” Coach Huang suddenly barked.

Zuo Yi straightened his back, unable to read the situation.

Liang Yi laughed and punched Coach Huang lightly in the chest. “Does Coach Zhang complain to you every single day?” He then turned his gaze to Zuo Yi. “Taking on more students?”

“If you were obedient, no one would have anything to complain about,” Coach Huang rolled his eyes. “This is your junior, Zuo Yi. Kid, why are you not greeting your champion senior?”

Zuo Yi’s mind was still in the clouds. How did I suddenly become the junior of a world champion? Oh my god.

Liang Yi let out a soft laugh and whispered to Coach Huang, “He is handsome, but a bit slow on the uptake.”

Coach Huang gave Zuo Yi a light kick. “Are you asleep?”

Zuo Yi snapped out of it and immediately gave a ninety-degree bow. “Hello, Senior! I am Coach Huang’s new student, Zuo Yi.”

Liang Yi, half a head taller than him, looked down at him and could not help but laugh out loud. “Alright, I am going to train.” He squeezed Coach Huang’s shoulder. “Wait for me to finish; let us grab lunch together, Old Huang.”

The training began. Liang Yi stepped onto the starting block and took his position.

“Liang Yi, 300-meter freestyle, start every 100 meters. Take your marks.”

The assistant coach gave the command. As soon as the whistle blew, Liang Yi launched into the water with a clean and powerful entry. Zuo Yi ignored everything else and jogged along the pool deck beside the assistant coach, intently studying the standard form of the “flying fish” in the water.

For the first hundred meters, Liang Yi used the freestyle; the stroke and distance for which he held the record.

Witnessing the speed of a world record holder in person made every cell in Zuo Yi’s body boil with excitement; he wished he could jump into the pool and swim alongside the champion.

When Liang Yi surfaced and the coach stopped the timer, Zuo Yi asked impatiently, “Coach, what was his time?”

“45.58 seconds.”

Zuo Yi recalled his own recent 100-meter freestyle time of 49.22 seconds. It was a decent sprint time, but the nearly four-second gap between him and Liang Yi was something that might take years to close, or he might never reach it in his lifetime.

Dejection set in. Comparison is the thief of joy; his “impressive” achievements felt like worthless bubbles in front of a truly elite athlete.

By the time the national team’s training session ended, it was already noon. Zuo Yi’s stomach was growling, but he had no appetite; his mind was still consumed by Liang Yi’s form and speed.

He walked toward the school gate lost in thought and did not notice his phone vibrating for quite a while.

He finally answered. “Hello, Yan-ge.”

His listless voice was immediately caught by Qi Yan. “Assigned extra laps again?”

“No, I met my idol today.”

“Hmm? An idol?” Qi Yan asked.

“Yeah, world champion Liang Yi, you know him? I met him. I saw him swim the 100-meter freestyle with my own eyes. I have to say, he is incredible. I am so envious.”

Zuo Yi went on and on, praising Liang Yi without reservation. Qi Yan guessed that Zuo Yi was feeling down because he had compared himself to a top-tier athlete, so he spoke gently to comfort him. “Xiao Yi, in my heart, you are the most amazing.”

“No, Yan-ge. I am just a scrub.”

Zuo Yi knew that in the hearts of Qi Yan and Ding Wenxiao, he was a great swimmer, but to truly stand on an international podium, his times would not even earn him a bronze.

“Junior, why are you leaving without saying goodbye?” Liang Yi’s voice suddenly appeared behind him. His long right arm draped naturally over Zuo Yi’s shoulder, giving him a start.

Zuo Yi turned around, eyes wide.

“Who is with you?” Qi Yan asked over the phone.

Zuo Yi realized he was still on the call. He stopped and pointed to the phone for Liang Yi’s benefit, then covered his mouth and whispered into the receiver, “It is the world champion I just told you about, Liang Yi.”

Zuo Yi thought he was being quiet enough, but every word reached Liang Yi’s ears. Liang Yi ruffled Zuo Yi’s hair and teased him affectionately, “Junior, I did not realize you were this cute.”

Qi Yan’s voice turned noticeably colder. “I see. If you are busy, go ahead.”

Thinking Qi Yan usually only called if there was an emergency, Zuo Yi quickly asked, “Did you need something?”

There was a pause before Qi Yan spoke. “You did not give me the equipment list.”

“Oh! Right. But I am done with training; I will go to Decathlon and buy them myself later.” Thinking Qi Yan was at the hospital with Auntie Chen, Zuo Yi figured it was more convenient to go himself.

“Fine. Hanging up.”

“Yan-ge,”

Before Zuo Yi could react, the line went dead. He felt like Qi Yan was in a bad mood, but he did not have time to ask. He sighed, thinking he would ask when he went to the hospital later.

Liang Yi had been waiting for Zuo Yi to finish his call. Feeling nervous in front of his idol, Zuo Yi shoved his phone into his pocket and gave an awkward smile. “Senior Liang Yi, were you not supposed to have lunch with Coach Huang? Why are you out here?”

“Because Old Huang stood me up. He went to a social function with Coach Zhang.” Liang Yi pouted. “Where are you going this afternoon?”

Zuo Yi found it funny that Coach Huang would dare stand up a world champion; his phoenix eyes curved into a charming crescent shape. “I am going to Decathlon to buy some training gear.”

Liang Yi nodded as if having an epiphany. He draped his arm over Zuo Yi’s shoulder again. “Let us go together. I have some things to buy too.”

Zuo Yi did not expect Liang Yi to be so approachable and down-to-earth. He had no reason to refuse, so he agreed. “Sure.”

Once they left the school gates, Liang Yi put on a black mask, which piqued Zuo Yi’s curiosity. Zuo Yi circled his mouth with his finger and asked, “Senior, do you have a cold?”

“No, I am just afraid of being recognized. It is a hassle,” Liang Yi explained seriously.

Zuo Yi peeked at the red and white national team uniform Liang Yi was wearing and measured his height with his eyes, thinking it would be hard for him not to be recognized in public.

Zuo Yi hailed a ride-share and went straight to Decathlon. During the shopping trip, Zuo Yi took the opportunity to ask Liang Yi for advice on swimming techniques and improvement tips. Liang Yi was generous with his experience, sharing his insights freely. Zuo Yi was so engrossed that he wished he had a pen and paper to record every word.

“No wonder I always felt my leg drive was lacking during the start. I will take your advice and try adjusting the starting block to the fourth notch during tomorrow’s training.”

Zuo Yi lowered his head to type notes into his phone, almost forgetting he was there to shop.

As they passed an ice cream shop, Zuo Yi stopped. He felt it would be impolite not to reciprocate after asking so many questions, so he turned to Liang Yi. “Senior, want some ice cream? My treat.”

“Sure.”

This was his first time interacting with an athlete of Liang Yi’s status. He was surprised that Liang Yi did not mind his constant questioning; in fact, Liang Yi even took the initiative to add him on WeChat, saying he could ask questions anytime.

Zuo Yi could not wait to rush to the hospital and tell Qi Yan how happy he was.

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